Windsor Park Collegiate cancels in-person classes Wednesday because of ‘concerning threat’

Citing “a concerning threat made against the school,” Windsor Park Collegiate is cancelling in-person classes Wednesday.

Christian Michalik, superintendent of the Louis Riel School Division, informed families about the decision in a Monday-evening email.

Michalik has shared few details about the threat, aside from the fact that it references Wednesday. He indicated the division has been working closely with the Winnipeg Police Service in recent days.

“This work has included extensive efforts to identify the origin of the threat, including far-reaching interviews with students. Regrettably, despite these efforts, the individual or individuals responsible have not yet been identified,” Michalik said.

“As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, classes will be cancelled on Wednesday, February 25, and families are asked to keep students at home that day.”

The memo indicates staff will be onsite and connect with students remotely via Microsoft Teams.

The closure is at least the third of its kind this month.

Bernie Wolfe School was evacuated on Feb. 4 in response to a “threats call” targeting the elementary building in the River East Transcona School Division.

One week later, the Winnipeg School Division closed St. John’s High School for the entirety of the day on Feb. 9 while police investigated an online threat.

“These are highly stressful situations and they trigger everyone a little bit differently,” said Lillian Klausen, president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.

Klausen noted that the union representing approximately 16,600 public school teachers has long been raising concerns about the state of violence in the sector.

She linked an uptick in threats and acts of violence to funding shortfalls and a shortage of mental-health professionals working in schools.

Students need social workers, psychologists and guidance counsellors, as well as academic support, to regulate themselves, Klausen said.

At the same time, the union leader said she’s confident about the security measures the Louis Riel School Division is putting in place to respond to the latest threat.

Teachers will report to school, but they will be in a form of lockdown and there will be increased police presence in the community, she said.

Klausen urged teachers experiencing increased anxiety to access mental-health services via the union or their extended health benefits.

The St. Vital-based division has informed families that its clinical services staff are available to help students “who may need to talk or debrief.”

The superintendent sent additional notices about the recent threat to community members at Collège Béliveau, located steps from Windsor Park Collegiate, and area residents Tuesday.

Classes are expected to proceed as usual at the immersion high school and other sites.

Michalik said there will be “monitored access” to Collège Béliveau as a precautionary measure.

Anyone with information about the latest threat is asked to contact the Winnipeg Police Service’s major crimes unit at 204-986-6219.

Const. Pat Saydak confirmed an investigation was ongoing Tuesday.

Police did not immediately confirm if any charges have been laid in connection to any recent threats involving schools.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca